An Analysis of Surah Al-Fatiha Class 7 - Lesson 1

Starter Activity There are 25 Prophets mentioned in the Holy Qur’an how many can you find?

Introduction Muslims recite a minimum of 10 times in their daily prayers. No prayer is valid without the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha. Surah Al-Fatiha was the first complete chapter revealed to the Prophet (S). The majority of scholars believe that Surah Al-Fatiha was revealed in Mecca, whilst others are of the opinion that it was in Medina. A minority believe it was revealed twice, once in Mecca and once in Medina. Does the recitation of these verses have any practical implication on our lives?

Hadith on Surah al-Fatiha If the chapter of Al-Fatiha was to be put on one side of the scale and the remainder of the Qur’an was to be placed on the other side of the scale, this chapter would outweigh the Qur’an seven times. Everything in the Qur’an can be found in the chapter of Fatiha. The one who recites this chapter gets the reward of an individual who has recited the whole of the Qur’an. Verily the chapter of Fatiha is a cure for every illness Verily everything has a basis, and the basis of the Qur’an is the chapter of Fatiha Choose one of these Hadith and explain what you understand from it?

Qur’anic verses related to Surah al-Fatihia وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ … “We send down (in stages) in the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe…” (17:82) يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُمْ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ … “O mankind! There has come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts…” (10:57). فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَالنُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنَا … “Believe, therefore, in Allah and His Messenger, and in the Light which we have sent down…” (64:8) …أَنْزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ لِتُخْرِجَ النَّاسَ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ… “… We have revealed unto you, in order that you might lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light…” (14:1) …فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ… “…So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him…” (7:157).

Some of the names given to this Surah Sura al-Fatiha – The opening chapter Sura al-Hamd – The chapter of Praise Umm al-Kitab - Mother of the book i.e. the origin and root of all other concepts found in the Holy Qur’an Al-Shifa - The Cure i.e. a cure for both physical and spiritual diseases Al-Asaas - The Basis Al-Noor - The Light i.e. guides the human being through its light Which of the names do you connect to and why?